A WORCESTER farmer was in very hot water at this time 100 years ago for failing to report an outbreak of Swine Fever among his pigs.

George Pitcher of Nunnery Farm was hauled up before the City Police Court and fined £40 with £3.13s. costs after pleading guilty to the offence.

The Journal report of the case explained that the defendant had bought 57 pigs from his brother in early October, and brought them to his farm. However, the pigs began to die shortly afterwards, and within a matter of days, more than 100 pigs on the farm had died.

Nevertheless, George Pitcher failed to notify the authorities as required under the law, and when a veterinary surgeon was eventually called, he found some of the dead pigs buried in a manure heap, an extremely dangerous practice.

"Crowquill," in his Journal comment column, had this to say of the case: "The magistrates were compelled to visit severely the offence of the farmer. The folly of concealment is realised in costly ways. The fine of £40 is but part of the financial penalty. Had the outbreak been reported at once, the animals would have been slaughtered, and half the value of the pigs would have been paid to the owner.

"As about 100 pigs died, the loss to the owner must be put in considerable figures. The authorities have also to suffer loss and trouble. A wide area around Worcester is now declared to be infected, and Worcester Cattle Market is closed against swine. Business interests are interfered with, and the ratepayers have to pay for all that is necessarily done.

"Disease, when made known and promptly dealt with, is bad enough. Reckless endeavour to hide it may cause enormous mischief, and is justly punished with a heavy fine."